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back to school with the "unsuccessful" podcast
146 Plays6 months ago
It’s back-to-school season and the moms are thriving-ish! We’re celebrating the return of early bedtimes, quiet coffee, and not hearing “I’m bored” every 7 minutes. But let’s be real — we’re also crying into our mugs while labeling literally everything.
In this episode, we’re talking bittersweet drop-offs, first day feels, school lunch plans, and why one listener lovingly dubbed us “the unsuccessful podcast.” Plus, we’re sharing real mom tips like night-before prep, lunchbox hacks, and keeping it together (mostly).
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Transcript
Introduction and Podcast Overview
00:00:00
Speaker
hi welcome to the Unsuccessful Park Moms podcast. We're your hosts, Haley and Becca. This is the place where we laugh and chat unsuccessfully about the chaos and bliss of raising us. Yapping. Oh yeah, i forgot that's what I'm supposed to say. That's okay. It's been couple weeks. now you also know that our intro is not pre-recorded. We say it every time. Every single time. Every single time. So thanks for staying with us, ladies. We probably could pre-record it, but honestly, that feels like more work.
00:00:24
Speaker
Putting it in every time and then just like including it. Absolutely. I kind like saying It gets me in the mood. Sort of fun to say it. we can keep saying the unsuccessful moms.
HydroJug and Consumerism
00:00:31
Speaker
Just kidding. I have some bad news for you. Oh, no.
00:00:35
Speaker
You know how I said the HydroJug was the best water bottle? Okay. Well, I was wrong because actually the HydroJug Sport, this one.
00:00:45
Speaker
Same brand. It's superior. Really? Like, that's sad because I told you to get the other one, but the handle The ergonomic design. Okay. What about the amount of water? I feel like. Okay. This is a 32.
00:00:59
Speaker
They make it in a bigger size. Oh, they do. Okay. But it's still a 32. thirty two I feel like a 44 just feels right. But when you're walking into the gym, like holding this. It's so much more effective. It's so much easier than like the big hand. Okay. I get it. yeah I'm sorry to report that everyone who bought the original HydroJug, now you have to buy this one. And honestly, I was thinking about this because I'm like, no, the HydroJug is the best water bottle. There's nothing that's going to beat it.
00:01:23
Speaker
But every year something comes out that's a superior water bottle. So our life as moms or just as women or as humans is going to be constantly buying the next water bottle. And that's just something we have to live with. Supporting our drink because all of us are drinking like three drinks a day.
00:01:39
Speaker
Yeah. I actually sometimes feel slightly bad for Stanley.
Disney Products and Prenatal Pampering
00:01:43
Speaker
I totally feel bad for Stanley. They were the It Girl Cup. They were. But do you know what? They had their time in the sun.
00:01:51
Speaker
And they have innovated. They've been innovative. Yeah. They've come out with new products. They've also kind of rebranded. I saw like a kiosk in the mall and they had like a bunch of like Mickey Mouse ones. Like they're like going for like branded. That's when you know a brand is going down hills when they start the Disney class.
00:02:08
Speaker
Oh, that is that is death for them. Oh, never mind, Stanley. You're out. You're out of here. Just kidding. No, Disney people love the Disney stuff. Yeah. And they are a loyal following. dis Disney? Are you a Disney mom?
00:02:21
Speaker
would you Would you explain me as a Disney mom? Like, would you describe me as a Disney mom to someone? I don't feel like I know you as that, but I know you enjoyed Disney a lot last time you went. It was really fun, but I'm like a once every three years kind of Disney thing. I couldn't even go more than once a year. Would you go without your kids?
00:02:39
Speaker
No. No. I see why it could be fun. Yeah. If I lived there, 100%. Yeah. yeah If had a season some pass, of course. Yeah. Girls night? Girls night? Like, I would do that. But am I just going to go Probably not. There's a lot of other things I'd rather do without my kids.
00:02:53
Speaker
Same. And it's also quite expensive. it's like, if I'm going to go spend $300 or $400, I do a spa day versus Disney. would go to, I went to a spa while you were gone. What spa? I went to, we did a little trip to St. George for a couple of days.
00:03:05
Speaker
How did I not even know this? Because it was so random and like, we were just like, well, we're going go. We went to my parents. Okay. But um I got a prenatal massage at a real, I've never really been to a spa before. That's just like, I'm not in that tax bracket yet manifesting. Yeah. You'll get there. But I went to, I've been to the Grand America once.
00:03:23
Speaker
Okay. You told me and you said you loved it, right? Loved it. I will definitely at one point in my life. be a spa patron. Like I will regular the spas. But um yeah, I went to a spa. How was it?
00:03:34
Speaker
Amazing. I had a prenatal massage, best massage of my life. Amazing. Because they actually had the pillows that held, like that you could lay on your stomach and they like had them situated perfectly and it was amazing. nothing like a spa while being pregnant. Like you just need
Support for Pregnant Women
00:03:49
Speaker
to be taken care of.
00:03:49
Speaker
No, really. Why isn't that included in insurance? There's a few things that when you're pregnant should be included in insurance. One, and just include actually. Okay, these are the things that pregnant women in the world should get while they're pregnant.
00:04:05
Speaker
A massage every single month that is paid for yeahp by the government, by i don't know who. yeah It should just be like given to them. Yes. Parking spots in the front at every single location. I know some places do that, but where is it at the Jersey Mike's?
00:04:21
Speaker
Yeah. Where is it at... What's another place I frequent? The Chick-fil-A. Like... Justice for pregnant moms and parking. What else? you have any ideas?
00:04:31
Speaker
I feel like one pro is, did you notice from like having our first baby to after COVID, it actually got significantly better. More drive-thrus. Yeah. More like pickup. Like we're so lucky that we live in that generation. I remember specifically thinking with Colson, our first kid, who was before COVID. I'm like, it's kind of lot of work to like get your kid of the car every single time you need to do something. And take them into I haven't taken my kids grocery shopping, like a full grocery list.
00:04:55
Speaker
In years. Okay, the last And that is a luxury. I would add child care. Child care. yeah got You're disabled. That's the free thing you should get. No, there should be a really nice grandma who comes to your house and watches your kids while you're pregnant. Your other kids. And even cooks for you or cleans you. cooks for you. And like, it's just like, oh, sweetie, you're doing amazing. Yes, a night nurse. Basically, I need my mom to live with me. Yes. While I'm pregnant.
00:05:21
Speaker
Why is like there this like... thing about your mom that, like, you just, like, need your mom sometimes. Yeah, moms still need their moms. Yeah. Anyways, yeah, there's a few things that pregnant women should get that we're not getting, and We'll petition for it.
00:05:36
Speaker
Unsuccessful podcast will petition for this, girls. Yeah, we will. I don't know how we're going to do it in between all of our day jobs and night jobs and children, but we'll do it.
Vacationing with Family: Joys and Challenges
00:05:44
Speaker
Okay, I'm going to start the life updates with a recap of my two-week vacation we just did. Yes.
00:05:51
Speaker
One, it was absolutely amazing, but I wrote down some, like, thoughts after because I'm, like, vacationing with kids It's all the things, right? It's amazing. It's stressful.
00:06:01
Speaker
It's intense. Like there's all, there's all the emotions. Um, so I wrote down some tips and I'll, I'll see where you went. Okay. I spent, well, I spent two weeks in California. We did the first week with my husband's family, a segment, I guess was a little more than two weeks, as three or four days with just our family. And then we did five or six days with my, my family. Did your families plan that on purpose? Like, did you coordinate that?
00:06:24
Speaker
We did not. It just so happened to be that way. it was kind of nice that we could stay. it was a little crazy taking that much time off work, but looking back, I'm like, that was really worth it because it was a full, like, it was enough time away from work that I couldn't just, like, catch up when I get back.
00:06:38
Speaker
yeah Like, I had to actually pass off everything I normally do. Amazing. So it was amazing. Okay, so here's my tip number one.
Embracing Adventure on Vacation
00:06:45
Speaker
This is the first trip where I like, this is going to probably surprise you, like got in the ocean.
00:06:50
Speaker
i am like a little scared of the ocean for one. And I'm kind of scared of my kids going in the water too. And this trip- Yes, and I'm scared of it. Yeah. This trip, I was like, okay, I'm going to get in the water. Like, I don't want to, like, live my life sitting on the beach the whole time. Good for you.
00:07:07
Speaker
And I feel like as moms, it's so easy to just, like, watch what's happening. Like, I definitely felt like my mom growing up. Like, we'd play games as kids or we'd do things and you would just, like, you just naturally the person who cooks and cleans and sits back. Yeah, there's always so much to do, so it's hard to enjoy the moment.
00:07:19
Speaker
Exactly. And so my first tip is like get in the water, whether it's the water or something else, like what you're scared of, what your kids are doing. Just like go and enjoy the moment. And like you don't have to always be the one who's like stiff sitting on the beach, like cleaning up after people. Yes. I'm so glad that you did that.
00:07:33
Speaker
Tip one. Okay. I took a boogie board with me. It made me feel more comfortable and I was very proud of myself. Boogie boarding is so fun. It is so fun. i Can we do a girls trip?
00:07:44
Speaker
And like the point of the girls trip is to go boogie boarding. I'm not kidding. After I have this baby, let's do a girls trip. And we just like... Boogie board. It's so – and, like, you're just out there, like, in the middle of ocean, like, so vast. It's, like, so rejuvenating.
00:07:56
Speaker
just – No. Honestly, amazing. I'm going to cry right now because, like, the way I want to go boogie boarding right now – I'm not kidding. That was, like, my thing growing up. Like, and it wasn't very cool to, like, boogie board when I was younger because everyone was surfing. And I was, like, no, I'm in the whitewash. Yeah. Bitches, I'm in the whitewash when I'm a boogie board.
00:08:13
Speaker
want to go boogie boarding. It was really fun. And, like – Colson, my five-year-old, is also getting comfortable in the water too, yeah which made me a little nervous. But he's like getting in, diving in the waves, boogie boarding too. And I'm like, I can't miss out on this. Like I can't just like zip back. forgot about boogie boarding. Boogie boarding.
00:08:30
Speaker
Haley's most true life memory of excitement. I think it's the hormones. that I'm not kidding. I'm like imagining boogie boarding right now and it's making me emotional. Okay. We are planning a boogie boarding trip postpartum. You promise? Yes, I promise. Like next summer. Okay. Boogie boarding.
00:08:46
Speaker
Okay, I'm putting it in the calendar. Put it put it on your bucket list. Okay. No, on the bucket list. I'm putting in the calendar. i'm I'm sending you an invite. Okay. Second component or second tip.
00:08:56
Speaker
um Enjoy the trip and relax and like try not to rush
Relaxation and Mishaps on Vacation
00:09:02
Speaker
all the time. Like I think like at home you're always on a schedule. You have to get out the door, get to school and then – There were times at the beach I had to remind myself of like, hey, we don't need to rush to go dinner. There's nowhere to be. There's nowhere to be. Like, just enjoy sitting here for five hours. Yeah.
00:09:15
Speaker
And like, as a mom, it's kind of hard to turn that switch off in your brain. 100%. Yeah. Of like, go, go, go. Yes. but it's Especially when you're like us. And so glad the second component of that is like...
00:09:27
Speaker
If you power through some of the hard moments, there's always like light on the other side. they Yeah. You have that moment at the beach when everyone's breaking down. And then if you stay just like an hour longer, sometimes they're just fine again. Yeah. You just like. Like don't panic and just leave. Yeah. Maybe try to stick through it. Yeah.
00:09:42
Speaker
Power through. And like I feel like sometimes it ends up being totally fine. Yeah. Okay. love that. Next tip is every day is a new day. Like, if you have a day where it's, like, a little hard and things are going a little crazy, reset and, like, you can just start enjoying it again tomorrow. Yes.
00:09:57
Speaker
Yes. love that. feel like that's good in life but also on trips. Okay. And then the last thing is, like, just know it's not going to be perfect. Like, hunt yes. Yes. Our first day I had a full meltdown because, like, We were running on low sleep. We took your tip and left early.
00:10:09
Speaker
Oh, good. Did you like that? Loved it. But I think kids – You're tired. you You pay for it the next day a little bit because the kids didn't nap and, you know, we didn't really keep them on a schedule at all, the trip. Yeah. And so there was a lot of meltdowns. There's a lot of screaming. There's a lot of fighting. Andrew's, like, getting used to being in a new place. Yes.
00:10:24
Speaker
It almost, like, takes a couple days to – that's why I'm glad you took a long trip, actually. Because you – sometimes you – go there and it takes a couple days to get acclimated and then you're only there for a little bit and so it feels like you were actually able to enjoy it probably so nice we were be able to fully unplug there was hiccups like we got hand foot and mouth can we talk about a hand foot mouth yes can we talk i'll say the last other weird thing and then we should jump into it our we had car problems too oh yeah that our car had to go to the shop for two days while we were there Do you feel like they upcharged you because they knew you were traveling from another state?
00:10:57
Speaker
I was going to ask you that. Okay. I chat GPT'd it and it was actually fair based off everything they did. Oh, good. Guys, we're living in such a good generation. We're going to be like, is this fair assessment for this type of place and what they're doing? And I reached it all out.
00:11:09
Speaker
It was kind of expensive. what was the problem with the car? Because we have the same car. We had a coolant leak. A coolant leak? Mm-hmm. Well, that's over my head, so I don't know why I asked. You would know you would' know because your coolant light would come on. Okay. Okay.
00:11:22
Speaker
You'll know. Okay. If it happens to you. And then we had do breaks, which you've had to do. I've had to do breaks so many times. Our latch, this is so random, the latch that pops our hood open also broke. That's what started it all. we couldn't pop open our hood to add additional coolant, and we realized we had a leak.
00:11:35
Speaker
Oh, goodness. We don't need to go to the car saga. But all I have to say is there's going problems. Let's go to
Family Health Challenges
00:11:40
Speaker
hand, foot, and mouth. Yes. Okay, hand, foot, and mouth. Okay, you start. Whoever invented hand, foot, mountain and mouth. I know no one invented it, but, like, whoever – First of all, it's a terrible name. I know why they named it that.
00:11:54
Speaker
Yeah. But, like, it's so hard to tell someone. Like, I started abbreviating it to HFM. Yeah. Like, yeah, we have HFM, which sounded much than hand, foot, And if you know, you Yeah, and if you know, you know. And if you don't, you're blessed.
00:12:05
Speaker
You don't want to know. So probably, like, a month ago, I had told a few friends, i'm like yeah, my kids have never had hand, foot, mouth. And they're like, what? That's so crazy because we've never had it. None of them have ever had gosh. Which is kind of surprising with, like, the ages of my kids.
00:12:17
Speaker
Well, I ate my words because – It was so terrible, and I just hated it so much. Was it last week you guys got it? No, it was two weeks ago. Okay, two weeks ago. Two weeks ago. the worst part?
00:12:30
Speaker
Honestly, all three kids were in different stages of it, and that was the hardest part is that they were all going through really hard things at different times, and they're all different ages, and so it was like – Just, I don't know. It felt so crazy. And I'm still was sick yeah from being pregnant.
00:12:44
Speaker
Couldn't leave my house. I felt like it was taking like two weeks of our summer because I did not want to give it to anyone. And the sores were definitely hard for my two-year-old. And like, he still has some like peeling skin, which is so sad.
00:12:58
Speaker
But um my four-year-old, well, she turns four on Sunday. my gosh. I know. her She got so many sores all over her legs. And you can just tell she already has eczema, so it was so painful. But it's just hard because with hand, foot, mouth, I didn't realize this, you can't take any. They can't take anything.
00:13:12
Speaker
No, you just have to like live through it. And it's also so contagious, so you have to like stay home. Yes. I thought that they would like get an antibiotic, but they don't. Yeah. It's just like, well, good luck. Godspeed. Power through. Power through it.
00:13:24
Speaker
and I saw you on TikTok going crazy cleaning, too. Oh, when I found out it was hand, foot, mouth, the steam cleaner was out, the Clorox, so I went to Costco. I didn't go to Costco, actually. We just got Clorox wipes from Costco. Yeah. I wasn't spreading it, okay?
00:13:38
Speaker
But I got the Clorox wipes out. And you know when you're stuck at home with sick kids, it feels like all you can do is clean. Yeah. Like, I was going crazy. Yeah. Yeah. And so I still cleaned the shit out of things. Ironic because I don't, I don't, I do not think we got it from you and must just be going around because our kids haven't seen each other, but we also got it on the trip.
00:13:56
Speaker
I was very lucky though. Only one of our kids got That's amazing. And he was exposed to everybody because we didn't know he had it because he just like, we thought he was dehydrated because well he just started like sleeping one day, the whole day and had like a slight fever, but not really. Yeah.
00:14:10
Speaker
So like, he must just be dehydrated because this for my hike. So like, that has to be it. Then the next day the spots came. That's the worst is with hand, foot, mouth is you don't know they're contagious until they show signs. Yeah.
00:14:22
Speaker
And so they're contagious like three or four days. Well, this is what chat told me. And then they then they have a fever and then they get the spots. Oh, so they're contagious prior to even starting. Prior to even the fever. So there's no way of you to know that they have it. Yeah. it's just a really, like, why aren't we vaccinating for that?
00:14:38
Speaker
I know. Good point. I will say, I thought it wasn't
Pregnancy Humor and Tech Talk
00:14:44
Speaker
as bad. I didn't think it was terrible, to be honest. That's It wasn't ideal, but like there's worse things. like I would much rather have than like a stomach flu that passed around the whole family.
00:14:53
Speaker
Oh, yeah. The stomach flu is my version of hell. And then like COVID, like then you're sick like two weeks. And like we just got really lucky somehow. Like Jack didn't get it. Colson didn't get it. And then like only one other kid from the family after we got home off the trip got it.
00:15:07
Speaker
And they were around each other the whole time. So I'm like, that's pretty good for how contagious it is. Honestly, just like a big F you to hand, foot, mouth. That's all I have to say about it. I really, I really disliked that Also, like, awkward because, like, people are like, what's wrong with your kid's hands? No, I know. And they, like – and then I started spiraling and I was like, I'm going to get it.
00:15:22
Speaker
Yes. I'm going to get spots all over my face. And then you read about it and it's, like, very scary. It's an adult gets it. Yes. Yes. Yes. So anyways, that was a dark time. Kids being sick in the summer is just not fair. No, we go through that all freaking winter.
00:15:36
Speaker
Wait, actually, this is a random question for you about kids being sick. Are you going to get an outlet? Do you like outlets for your baby? I've done them with the other kids. No, with my first two, I did it. And then with Graham, he was in my room for so long, I felt comfortable putting him in his own room. And I like had the video i had the camera, but I didn't have...
00:15:53
Speaker
The oxygen monitor. I don't know. Do you think you'll do it this time? I don't kind just like going off vibes with this fourth one. See what happens. Like how I feel in the moment. So like if I text you at 1. Do you have one? Yeah. So if I text you at 1am. You need it.
00:16:05
Speaker
i But. Well, that's not this was like about it being sick. When we came home, Jack got like a little cold too. Yeah. He didn't get hand-but-mouthed because I was lucky. But his heart rate was really high. And I was like checking on. I'll look every second. Like is okay? I do think it can be anxiety inducing.
00:16:20
Speaker
It's like nice, but I'm like looking at why is my kid's heart rate this heart rate? It's like the knowledge we have is so helpful, but it's also kind like makes you go more crazy. That's why I don't want aura ring. Well, i do, but I don't because i don't want all of the information. Did you get one? No, but then like I'm just thinking when you have a bad day of sleep the next morning you be oh I'm yeah angry. Wait, do you know what I did get? This is like related but not what we've been talking about.
00:16:42
Speaker
But now you have to get one because it's the best thing ever. Oh my gosh, a red light mask? No, a robot mop vacuum. Are you kidding? We've been talking about this forever. I named mine Vac Efron.
00:16:53
Speaker
Love that. And it tells me in the app, like, I can turn it on from what i'm not when I'm not home. Like, I was gone the other day and i was like shoot, I wish my floors were clean when I got home. Go into the app, turn Vac Efron on. It does everything that says Vac Efron.
00:17:08
Speaker
successfully completed his job. Vacuum and mop, correct? Yes. Oh my gosh. So these are the downsides to it. The mop, you can only use water. Okay. So like it's not going to clean as well as like a full mop.
00:17:20
Speaker
But for the everyday like getting dirt off the ground, it's perfect. Yeah. I love him. And like half the stuff on the ground is just like food. Yeah. No, I think I'm actually using it too much though because anytime I'm like feeling just like a little bit dirty, I go and turn him on.
00:17:33
Speaker
And Camden's like, can you chill? What's the upsides of him? The upsides? Everything. Tell me. I feel like it gets so much dirt off of my floor way better than my old one. Really?
00:17:45
Speaker
Yes. And I feel like we have How much was it? Okay. So this is the kicker. My dad found it. He wanted me to shout out on the podcast. Okay. Amazing. but So here you go, dad. My dad found it at Home Depot for $90.
00:17:57
Speaker
What? Yes. 90? I could do right now, actually. I could turn him on. Yeah, turn them on. Turn on vacuum. I'm obsessed with Black Efron. Okay, sorry. What were we talking about before i Oh, we were just talking about... wait what were we talking about? Owlet? Oh, something you bought. Okay, you so you're very excited about that. Okay, okay here's my last... like life update and then we need to get into your life updates before we get into the back to school segment.
00:18:22
Speaker
Okay. Being a boy mom right now has me seriously sweating. Like I am drowning in sweat. Wait, did you look? So right before this, we were at like a kindergarten pizza party meetup that one of the moms did. It was really cute.
00:18:33
Speaker
And our friend Carly, she looks at her son and she's like, why are you so sweaty? Like, why are you soaking wet? And I was dying. He looks he's like, I don't know. And she's like, What?
00:18:44
Speaker
Like, what happened? He was just sweating. So anyways, it was funny. No, all the kids were sweating tonight. Because they were wait playing like little animals. And like, I'm actually sweating. Like, literally, I'm hot and sweaty. But I also am like, how am going to do this?
00:18:56
Speaker
I started watching Chan with the boys last night and it helped me feel a lot better. Yeah. Because you have to embrace the chaos a little bit. And she talked about how it got easier. She about it a lot easier. And then, like, she kind of was, like, saying, my boys do these same things. Here's kind of what I do. Yeah.
00:19:07
Speaker
But, like, maybe you can give me some advice. Like, why is my rope so short? Like, how can I actually be more i have literally no advice for you because my rope is... Is that what we're calling it? is a rope Is the rope like our bandwidth yeah for patients? Yeah.
00:19:22
Speaker
Mine is non-existent when I'm pregnant. When I'm pregnant, the littlest thing will set me off. Same. Like I asked Camden, I said, our kids um like terrible kids or do I have like no patients? And he said, you have no patients.
00:19:34
Speaker
Your capacity is just like significantly less. So I have no advice. my I just – I can – Relate. I can relate. So I guess, mamas, if you're in that, we can relate to you.
Parenting Fatigue and Connection
00:19:44
Speaker
I actually – Okay, so I feel like because I'm thinking about this, I'm getting all this like TikTok, Instagram like advice type people.
00:19:52
Speaker
And so I saw another one – Becky, or Dr. Becky, it's like she does the book Good Inside. Have you oh read that book? Oh, yeah, yeah. You told me about her. And she said there's this whole new movement on basically being like, F this as parents.
00:20:06
Speaker
We're not gentle parenting anymore. We're not taking any advice. We're kind of just like – Whatever. Like we're overstimulated at this point. Well, this is like the book I told you to read. What is it? Raising Lions. Oh, yeah yeah. It's like sometimes gentle parenting doesn't work.
00:20:18
Speaker
Yes. Sometimes a kid doesn't need gentle parenting. They need a little bit more firm. You can't do that. Yes, and, like, having strict boundaries. But she's kind of saying that people are saying, we don't want anything. We don't want, like, boundaries. We don't want gentle parenting.
00:20:31
Speaker
Everyone just wants to be I'm done. Like, I'm exhausted. I'm overstimulated. But we can't just, like, we can't. We have to keep going. Yeah, but she said everyone's just burnt out. And then this is what her, like, full philosophy was like.
00:20:44
Speaker
First off, I get it. I completely understand. We're all burnt out. Like, we're all exhausted. But she said, let's, like, try – to do less without being disconnected and so don't have any advice there but i do think that is like do less without being disconnected yeah like instead of trying to say that in my head to gentle parents i'm trying to have all these rules all these boundaries like don't do all that stuff but like don't disconnect it completely as a parent yeah i don't know the answer but i just found that no i feel like that's like a good thing to tell yourself in the moment too like
00:21:15
Speaker
do less, but don't be disconnected. Yeah. Because sometimes I'm like, well, my brain's like really spinning now. Because sometimes I like want my kids to independently play Yeah.
00:21:26
Speaker
Which like is doing less, right? You're doing less to entertain them. Absolutely. But then I am sometimes completely disconnected. like Yeah. Like I still, yeah, that's interesting. I like that. I think like this next segment of like back to school, getting back to the routine, I think it'll kind of bring some calm to the craziness for me at least. I hope so. The first few weeks are going to be rough.
00:21:46
Speaker
Yeah. Just because like getting back to a schedule after summertime is hard. I need advice for that. I need a advice for that too. Because we have to get our mornings. Like I love a slow morning. Yeah. Especially right now being pregnant.
00:21:58
Speaker
Especially when my husband lets me sleep in every single day. Bless him. But we have to like wake up at 6 a.m. and get going. Out the door. I know. i'm I'm worried about that. Okay, wait. Before we jump into the back to school segment. I thought that's what you' were jumping to.
00:22:11
Speaker
Well, do you have any life updates you want to connect on? My only life update is I'm 17 weeks pregnant. Today is the first good day that I've had in a while. And I'm hoping it's a turning point. I'm not getting my hopes up.
00:22:22
Speaker
But I'm feeling better today. I do feel like between like 17 and 20 weeks, even you're a very, very sick person, there is like a slight relief. Even if you're still sick, but there's like a little bit of relief. I'm going move this little Or have like an hour even or two hours where you slightly feel better. Yeah. Except I had a doctor's appointment yesterday. Okay.
00:22:41
Speaker
And so I've been having this. Did I tell you about this? My throat thing? Yes. Okay. so I've been having a feeling i need to know if anyone has ever dealt with this. But it feels like I swallowed a huge pill and it is stuck in my throat. And it's been like this for eight weeks.
00:22:55
Speaker
So long. It feels like i sometimes get relief, but it basically just feels like something's lodged in my throat. And I asked chat, it was like, could be acid reflux, it could be heartburn, but it doesn't feel like that. So I went and talked my doctor yesterday and she's like, it shouldn't be lasting this long if it's like acid reflux or it's like that. it comes and goes, right? Yeah, but it doesn't ever come and go. It just stays.
00:23:15
Speaker
So she thinks I might have a throat ulcer from being so sick. Ew. Like I like maybe damaged my throat. That is creepy. and What do you even do for that? I don't know. I'm going to a GI specialist.
00:23:27
Speaker
So that's my really fun life update. That and I got a robot vacuum. Pregnancy is gnarly. Like it is not for the faint of heart. It is metal. Pregnancy is metal. It's like, what's metal? Is that a cool and new like like word to say? Like the kind of like, oh yeah, that's so metal.
00:23:43
Speaker
What? I don't know about this. Teach me. No, yes, you do. Metal? It's not a new cool, like metal, like um the kind of music, like it's hardcore. Okay, yeah, but that's a cool way to say that. I love that. I need a start incorporating. No, motherhood is metal. Pregnancy is metal.
00:23:58
Speaker
i I heard of one cool term recently, crash out. I'm going to start using that. Oh, crash out is my entire person personality. Same, same. I am constantly crashing out.
00:24:09
Speaker
I'm either crashed out or asleep and there's not really an in-between. Truly though, like so impressed with you and like all the moms out there. Like it's just whether you're like – Pregnant, postpartum, all that, it's such a sacrifice.
00:24:23
Speaker
Yeah. And it's hard. And, like, every day it's a little bit of a battle. So, very proud of you for that. We talked about this a little bit earlier, hinted towards that this was the episode, but we're going to be talking about back to school.
Kindergarten Emotions and Preparations
00:24:34
Speaker
It's kind of a big year for Haley and I because this is our first year we will have kindergartners. Yeah. And they're in full-day school. So, it's, like, Kind of like, whoa. It feels like a new era of parenthood.
00:24:46
Speaker
It does. Like, I feel like a shift. Yes. Because we have to, like, i definitely felt a shift when we were deciding to do, um like, school lunches or bring your lunch, which was such a hard decision. This is going to sound so silly, but I feel like what's cool now, not that I need her to be cool, but, like, I also don't want her to be the only kid bringing a lunch if everyone's buying a lunch or vice versa.
00:25:06
Speaker
Yeah. What did you just say to do? I'm going to do what you're doing, which is a couple times a week, buy lunch and then bring lunch most of the time. Colton's like very excited about eating lunch there for whatever reason. I honestly, I'd be cool with him eating lunch there every day. Buying lunch. Yeah. But cause it's not, it's pretty affordable it's like less work for me, but I'm like, it's probably not the most healthy option. And I don't really see him eating a sandwich, like a turkey and ham sandwich. Like he doesn't really like like Subway, but he loves yeah Chick-fil-A, which they have and Yeah.
00:25:33
Speaker
Pizza. why The fact that they have Chick-fil-A, like, slay. i That was not the kind of food they had at my elementary school. I'm like, can I eat there? they have to cater in. Can like But, okay, how are you feeling about Elsie going overall? like And how is she feeling?
00:25:46
Speaker
um She is really excited. So she did two years of preschool, which I think was really good for her because she definitely just needed that time to feel comfortable. And the first year preschool, she did less days.
00:25:57
Speaker
The second year, she did more days. And so I feel like it's been more gradual. Yeah. And so she's ready. I'm ready, honestly, for her to go. I love her so much, but I definitely think that it will be good for her.
00:26:10
Speaker
Yeah. It'll be good for her independence. All day feels long. And I feel like the consensus of all of my friends who are sending a kindergartner for the first time are really sad. And I feel weird that I'm not as sad as them.
00:26:22
Speaker
Yeah. But I don't know. I think she's ready. How do you feel? I feel the same. also like it's nice. Our oldest kids are almost six. Like, they're like... I feel like they've been ready. Like this is Colson's – this will be his fourth year of school. He started preschool at two. Like yeah he did two days and then he did three-year-old preschool, four-year-old preschool.
00:26:39
Speaker
And now he'll be – So he like gradually got there. He gradually got there. I do think all day is going to be a little bit a lot. But I also will say he needs the routine so bad. We all do. Like we've been no rules. So crazy this summer. Yeah.
00:26:51
Speaker
And like it's been very fun. But I'm also like I think getting back to a structured schedule will be really good for all of us. Yeah. No, I'm excited. I'm a little bit sad. Because it just feels like the end of an era, like having all your kids at home.
00:27:03
Speaker
But I've also heard from seasoned moms that once they're all in school full day, it is like the best thing ever. I can't like, we'll have to like recap how it ends up actually being. like I'm sure it'll be really good, but it's going to be weird.
00:27:15
Speaker
I'm excited for my two youngest like bond though more. Yeah. Because I think like, think like Blair and and Graham, they're going to more time just then And they've kind of been gravitating towards playing with more with just each other anyway. Like today they're playing in the playroom together and I was working and Elsie was just like, I am bored. I don't know what to do. Like she needs more.
00:27:33
Speaker
Yeah. There's only so much like stimulation I can give her once she's five. It's like, they're kind of ready for that. Yeah. So I'm just trying to stay positive about it. I'm in TBD. I might have a breakdown soon. It might be pending.
00:27:44
Speaker
Okay, wait. This is actually a question I have for you, and then we'll go into the stats. um Is there anything, like, you're excited to do, like, to have a Mexican? Is there anything you're like, okay, I'll get back. I'll get to this once they're in school. Okay.
00:27:55
Speaker
Honestly, the constant need to just entertain them has been hard this summer with me being so sick. Yeah. Like it's been really fun, but I can't go to another splash pad. Yeah. Like I'm just excited to kind of like break up our day a little bit more. Summer is so fun because there are like no schedules or no rules, but sometimes the days feel so long. Yeah. So you're constantly trying to fill it with activities.
00:28:15
Speaker
So I'm excited to like share, this sounds weird, but like share the burden of Breaking up the day. Yeah. With school. Yep. I agree. It's just like the complete routine. i I was going to say like – I've like been having on my mind, once school starts, we're going to do like all these, like again, routine-type things. like I'm going to try to start like walking more. I want to like kind of clean the house and do a fall. I'll walk with need walk. I think like some of the goals I've been putting off because we haven't been on a routine, like I want to do. And then I want to start like waking up earlier as a family just to have that time before school as a No, it's kind of nice.
00:28:51
Speaker
The first couple of weeks are rough, but it is kind of nice having a routine again. yes And then it makes you appreciate summer again. Like it's good having the contrast. Absolutely. Like every season you're kind of like ready for the next season in a way.
Future Plans and Personal Goals
00:29:01
Speaker
When our kids are all in full school, can we like be the moms that go to Pilates and then go to lunch? Oh yeah. I'm for sure going to go to Pilates, get a coffee, pick up my Target pickup. Yeah. and then Like we're going to be retired by then. Yeah, I'm definitely retiring. if We'll be podcasting. We'll be podcasting with our and very successful podcast. yeah Okay. Okay, should I go into the stats? Yeah. So we asked you guys if you are ready for summer or um excited for school or long-lived summer, and we had only 31% are ready for a routine. Isn't that wild? Yeah, that is kind of wild. And then 69%...
00:29:36
Speaker
No pun intended. long live summer. Yeah. I'm actually shocked by that. okay i Okay. I was feeling a little sad about summer ending last week. And then Camden reminded me that fall in Utah is truly such a magical time. It is the best time.
00:29:48
Speaker
It's still warm too. We still do stuff. It did feel like pretty fast. like From them getting out of school to when they go back to school, it feels kind early year. It did feel And since I was so sick, it kind of felt like... I was in like a little bit of a weird headspace that i was like, what just happened? Yes.
00:30:03
Speaker
Was that summer? Yeah. Like it's, yeah especially being pregnant, you probably feel was like a very long time, but also no time at all. Yes. The days were so long and the weeks were really short. Yeah. Oh my gosh. That's crazy. Okay. Next, step or we asked you guys any tips for moms and kids transitioning to full-time school.
00:30:20
Speaker
This is for us. Yeah, exactly. We needed the help. Thanks, guys. I had some people write in, like, please share when you get them. Oh, good. Okay. Expect your kid to come home absolutely
After School Decompression
00:30:30
Speaker
wrecked. Hand them a snack.
00:30:31
Speaker
Back away slowly and let them decompress. I love this. This is so true, and I might have mentioned this on the podcast before, but my mom told me when Elsie was going to preschool that – this was going to happen. She kind of warned me, like, when you pick them up, they're going to have a lot of emotions. And that actually is a good thing. That showing them that they were – that showing you that while they're at school, they did a good job of regulating their emotions and, like, staying calm.
00:30:54
Speaker
But when they see you, you're their safe place. And so they kind of let out those emotions. Yeah. Which is actually a really healthy thing to do because it shows that they're able to, like, compartmentalize. And, like, I feel that way sometimes. If I'm having a hard time, I see my mom and I break down. Like, yeah I think it just shows that, like – they're your safe place. You're their safe place. Yes. And i think like snacks in the car is a game changer. Yeah. Didn't I tell you to do that last year?
00:31:18
Speaker
I'm actually picking up LC, so i'll give snacks for her too. Perfect. Label literally everything. Yes. Even shoes, especially the shoes. I should link the label maker that I got. you have a label maker okay so I got a label maker for 15 bucks on Amazon and it was so fun because it's an app is it cute it's really cute because it has all these little you can choose a bunch of different fonts and then you can choose little pictures and so Elsie we had to label things for school she helped me choose all the little like icons that went on her labels and so it it was a fun activity do together to like get excited for school okay we should link that like really soon because I also need that I haven't labeled stuff yet I think it on my personal Instagram you didn't see I did not I
00:31:56
Speaker
she was in true vacation mode if she didn't see my post you're like one of my top people to see too so i wonder if i just saw it and like didn't know you like whatever it was she's buying a label me maker freak do you do you like it when they like your stories or comment back to your stories you do yes okay good to keep it coming okay um lunches keep them simple you don't have to be like the pinterest mom in the lunchbox I like this.
00:32:20
Speaker
I like this, but I will say the Pinterest lunchbox are inspiring me. No, they are inspiring. And like, if it inspires you to make their lunch by like making it a certain way or making it fun, why not?
00:32:30
Speaker
yeah it's going to stress you out, don't do it. Throw an Uncrustable in there and call it a day. Yeah. I'm definitely going to try to go for things that I have on hand that are simple. So it's not just like stressing me out
Back-to-School Organization
00:32:40
Speaker
every morning. And I'm going to try to do night before packing.
00:32:43
Speaker
five friends faves oh yeah posted about this carly jacobs i think was the inspo about buying a whole loaf of bread making pb and j's and putting them in the freezer i'm going to be doing that i'm absolutely doing that so that's a really good tip but did like watch some tiktoks just for like some inspiring lunch ideas because i'm like all i know is pb and j so they had like you can like do a pasta or like a snack platter or like um pizza well probably a lot of leftovers too yeah So. Okay, they're like, here you go. That's what I didn't eat last night.
00:33:12
Speaker
She'll probably be eating like steak and her, just kidding. That just reminded me, I forgot to eat dinner. Oh my gosh. Are you okay? No, I just remembered I was going to eat leftover.
00:33:24
Speaker
Okay. Wait, this is a little tangent, but it's related. Last night I took Colson back to school shopping and we went to the cheesecake factory. Cause like I used to do that growing up. It was so fun. Was it just you too? It was just us too. And he's like, mom, thank you so much for planning this anyways. And I have leftover cheesecake factory. So I was planning on eating that, but I haven't gotten to it yet. Yeah. You've had a crazy day.
00:33:43
Speaker
I'll do that after this podcast. Okay. We'll drop you get to your cheese. Did you back to school shopping? So we did uniforms this year. We're having uniforms this year, which is so nice. How you feel about that? The boy uniforms are not See, feel like the girl uniform, well, we have options. Like you can buy them from anywhere, but like there is really cute girl options. There are. I'm sorry. like all like church pants. Yeah. No, I'm sorry. do feel like it's easier for girls.
00:34:08
Speaker
It's cuter. And the full uniform outfit is really cute. Even though like the uniform is more like boy, like I i would imagine uniforms to be better for boys. I would have thought it was the opposite, but I feel like the girl like dress options and squirt options are really cute. They're so cute. And then I got her little like Vans Mary Janes that going to say Janes. Yes. But they're like tennis shoes that match the red. She's wearing tonight. Those are so cute. She's like, can I wear my new school shoes to the thing? i was like, yes.
00:34:36
Speaker
Oh, you know, they're going to so dirty. But so back to school shopping. i didn't really do it, but we need to get school supplies. Have you done that? I got school supplies. I also I just chose the option of like donate and then just get like the few things you need.
00:34:49
Speaker
I'm confused about that. You'll have to explain. I'll explain it to you. But I know it's like we're like really growing up like the fact that we do back school shopping, choose lunches like yes. who ah Who are we? No, I'm not old enough for this.
00:35:00
Speaker
i I truly do not feel old enough for this. I'm like, oh how long can I stay on top of this stuff? Okay. This is good advice. Do a night before prep, like outfits, backpack snacks, get your coffee ready for the morning. Like morning will thank you. hundred percent. I love this idea. Set out your outfit the day before. yep Set out your kids outfits so that your spouse can also help them get dressed or they can get themselves dressed. Like that is one nice thing of uniforms. Yes.
00:35:24
Speaker
The uniforms will be easy, but what's kind of hard is I have one in uniforms and not, and one without. I've heard of other moms that go to the same school. They do uniforms. They both put them in uniforms.
00:35:34
Speaker
I feel like she's so young to wear a uniform. Yeah, let her have her personality this year. don't want to constrict her We did afternoon preschool for Walker. I think that will be kind of nice. So on the days I'm picking up Elsie, I'm going to get Colson, Elsie, and then I'm going to up Walker. So you'll have like, he they won't be home until like 345. Hopefully that's okay. i so don't that That is a blessing. feel like you will actually like love that. a hundred percent 100%.
00:35:57
Speaker
but I'll chat with them every day. Love it. That's actually going to be so cute. I'm in bond with Elsie so much. I know, and I'm going to bond with... Today I was like, Colson, what the heck? Like, you didn't say hi to me. Just too... Such a little boy. Too cool for school.
00:36:10
Speaker
um Okay. Too cool for school. How ironic. should be the name of the episode. No, needs to be the... Unsuccessful podcast. Okay. Create a routine for your other kids at home.
00:36:22
Speaker
So you're not, like, refereeing, getting the kindergarten at home. I think... I want to make sure my kids at home, like, have their own structure and schedule. So that way, like... We're all on the same page. I actually, was going to you this. Yeah, I was looking at that. I thought could this on Amazon.
00:36:36
Speaker
It was the best option that was out there. I don't, I won't say obsessed with this, but I feel like it works. No, it's cute. And can they do this themselves? They do this themselves. And then morning, afternoon, evening. And there's like 50 of these. You can like choose different ones every day. if you're listening and not watching on YouTube, which most people are. It's like a wooden board that has different,
00:36:54
Speaker
So did you choose these little tasks? It comes with like 50, so you can change them out. Wait, that is so cute. So you can change it and then they slide it when they've done it. Yep. And there's a little tasks like nap time, brush teeth. So I'm going try it my god I got them for both of my kids and I'm going to try to do it for both of them. So they both feel like they're in a routine and it'll be good for like nanny. Send me that link, girl.
00:37:12
Speaker
As well. Yeah, we'll link this too to like be like, okay, you got to do, like, I want to also have him do some learning at home and reading. Like I want to put him in a similar routine. Totally. Love that. Okay. Okay, oh, and then my other advice, which is also something I want to show, um is, well, this actually came from you, Hailey, so why don't you talk about it a little bit?
00:37:31
Speaker
This has been one of my favorite things that I've bought in the last year, and it's from our friends, Kindred Conversations. Mm-hmm. And it is basically like an aesthetic weekly
Family Coordination and Planning
00:37:42
Speaker
planner.
00:37:42
Speaker
I just love it because I can keep it in my kitchen. And even though we have everything in the calendars and we like kind of know what's going on, it's so nice to have a reference point that everyone can see. Obviously, my like kids can't read it.
00:37:53
Speaker
But my husband and I would be like, yep know what's for dinner and know what activities there are. Like your days get so crazy that sometimes it's just like nice to look at it. Absolutely. And I'm like, I feel like the whole family can use your team. And it's like very aesthetically pleasing. I'm going to put it on my fridge.
00:38:07
Speaker
And the cutest part is it's actually a local company. she came and dropped it off and dropped off some chocolates too. I'm like, that is so cute. That is so great customer service. And so sweet. And I literally texted Haley. I'm like, is this um calendar worth? And she absolutely, definitely get it. So yeah. I'm getting sad because I am like getting, I need to buy a new one soon. Oh, you've almost used all the days. Yeah, I've almost used all it. We've used it for a long time.
00:38:27
Speaker
We use it every single week, like religiously. And I like it too because it forces me to sit down at the beginning of the week. Yeah. And kind of like look at the week and get mentally prepared. And so that you're not just like hit with Monday and you're like, oh my gosh, this week is so crazy. And I can even write on there like pack a lunch today. Like I think I just, yeah ay have so much going on in my brain. I need to like write it out. Yes. Yes.
00:38:46
Speaker
And that's a tip on here too. it's nice having something that's like physical, not just like on your phone. Yes. Okay. Earlier bedtime than you think. They're tiny, but they're running a mental marathon every day. I know. Bedtime is hard for us.
00:38:57
Speaker
We're going to have to shift that. Because we've been going to bed at like, our kids have been going to bed at like 9. Same. 9.30. I mean, my kids just barely to sleep until 9.30. And school is next week. They're going to have to go to bed. Yeah, I think that will happen naturally with the sudden schedule, and they'll get more tired. and like I'm just going to try to push for 7.30 bedtime because they're going to be waking up early and getting out the door.
00:39:19
Speaker
And I want to try to go to bed earlier so I can wake up earlier. So you need more time. You need them to go to bed so you have more time without them. Yes. Okay, this is funny. Teach them how i haven't thought of this one teach them how to open their lunch containers.
00:39:30
Speaker
Otherwise, they'll eat two bites, and recess will steal the time. So just I'll do it easy. Oh, like they're struggling to open it? Mm-hmm. That's a good advice. We should link some that are easy to open. Yeah. Did you buy a lunchbox? I got a lunchbox and I followed your lead with the stainless steel. There's a brand. It's called, I think it's called Lunchbots, B-O-T-S. And it's stainless steel. And all the ones I found that were stainless steel were like kind of expensive. And these were like $15. Oh, send it to me. And they compartmentalized. Oh.
00:39:57
Speaker
Okay, send that. Well, just send me your whole Amazon list because i feel like you did a lot of good research. I just realized I had to start thinking about it. I'm like, okay. Can I do a quick plug for a stainless steel? Absolutely. We switched from silicone to stainless steel, and I'm not a crunchy mom. I'm a scrunchie mom. Like, yeah I'm a Chick-fil-A nuggets in the stainless steel compartment, but we got the stainless steel plates because our silicone plates...
00:40:21
Speaker
we're starting to taste like soap. Yeah. And I like boiled them. I clean them. Like, you know me, I'm a clean freak, but I like read all this stuff on silicone and stainless steel is just really good. So I'm still eating off of plastic, but my kids are eating off stainless steel. At least the kids are happy. I'm screwed.
00:40:36
Speaker
We're already screwed from the antibiotics. Yeah, that's true. We're already in deep from all this stuff. Okay. Um, include an extra clothes in the backpack. No explanation needed.
00:40:46
Speaker
Oh, I didn't think about that. I'm sure that's probably a little more specific to like yeah preschool. um You never know. have us yeah Have a school drop zone at home so they can, oh, this is good. so they can leave like their backpack and shoes and papers everywhere.
00:41:01
Speaker
i haven't created that. haven't created that, but I also feel like my house isn't big enough to have a drop zone. Wait, you you could use your laundry room, like because that would be an easy way when you come in from the garage and like set up some hooks.
00:41:15
Speaker
I could do that. And a basket. I have the hooks, like a pegboard, beadboard thing in my front room, but I don't like anything on it because I like it to look. I don't think you'll want the backpacks there. No, especially because I let Elsie get the ugly backpack. Because I was like, they're uniforms. She can't control what she's wearing. I'm going to let her express her personality through this ugly backpack.
00:41:36
Speaker
My kids got black Vans one and they look huge on them. I'm like, why do they get full-size backpacks tiny kids? Wait, but why they such cute ones? Did you give them the option? i just let them choose out. And they chose cool ones?
00:41:46
Speaker
But we went we didn't only went to Vans and t Zara, so they didn't have that many options. Okay, yeah. See, I went to see her trading post. That was my problem. And so now she has a backpack with a fuzzy heart and cat on it.
00:41:58
Speaker
Hey, you're right. She's expressing herself. Yeah. You can only stifle them so much. We should look a link, find a link for that though. Cause I, I like that idea of like having like a, like Drop zone.
00:42:10
Speaker
Hooks and then like a basket. Yeah. that's a good idea. Okay. For you mama, take 30 minutes after drop off to do something fun. Go get a coffee, do a solo target run, sit in the car in silence. Take some of that bliss. Yeah, but what if you have other kids?
00:42:26
Speaker
Maybe it'll feel like less crazy because you have two instead of like you have to admit having two feels so much easier than having three. Yeah. A hundred percent. It's like, how is this so easy? Yeah. But when you have just two, it feels like the world is ending.
00:42:38
Speaker
Yes. And just like you have a million kids when you have two. Two kids feels like a million kids actually. really does. Like three kids feels like a million kids. Plus one. Just And I'll let you know what four feels like.
00:42:49
Speaker
Four is going to feel like 10 billion. Just kidding. Four is going to, I honestly feel like TLC should be calling me. Yeah. Like that's so many kids. That's so many kids. Who are you? don't know. Okay. The last tip, this is a good one. Take the first day of school photo, but also take random photos like Tuesday, a Tuesday in November. Those are gold.
00:43:05
Speaker
Oh, cute. I like that idea. Okay. Can't wait for all the first day back to school posts. I know. Infiltrating my feed. Infiltrating our feed. We're back to school. And I just can't believe we're at that age where we're like, in the next few years, we're gonna be telling you guys three of our kids in school, like, bro, we're not ready for that.
00:43:22
Speaker
Yeah, I'm not ready for that. Anyways, this was another episode of the unsuccessful Park Moms podcast. Park Moms podcast. Bye, guys.